Railroad crossing signal



Qct. 11, 1932. E w, GRISWQLD 1,881,516

' RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL Filed March 30, 192 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE/V 70/7. f/m/v/r W. 6W5 wow:

Oct. 11, 1932. w g swo p I 1,881,516

RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL Fi led March 30. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1932- F. w. GRISWOLD RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL Filed March 30, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 11,1932, F' GRlSWOLD 1,881,516

I RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL Filed March 30, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 11, 1932. F. w. GRISWOLD 1,881,516

RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL Filed March so. 1927 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK W. GRISWOLI), 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO GRISWOLD SAFETY SIGNAL COMPANY OF DELAWARE, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE RAILROAD GBOSSING SIGNAL Application filed March 30, 1927. Serial No. 179,492.

This invention relates to a signal and while the signal might have various applications, it

\ the crossing. It is desirable, therefore, to

have a signal device which will only display a Stop sign when there is a train near the crossing. In order to accomplish this, it is desirable to have a signal which is operated by the approaching train. It is also desirable to have a signal which is illuminated so that the same will be efiectiveat night and it is also desirable to have a signal which cannot be turned by meddlesome persons.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a signal especially adapted for use at railway crossings, which is simple and efficient in construction and which will positively and accurately operate it to indicate the approach of a train.

It is another object of the invention to provide a signal especially adapted for use at railway crossings, comprising a rotatable Stop sign and automatically operated means for rotating said sign to position to restrain traflic over the railway tracks when a train is approaching and. for turning the same to a position to permit traific over said tracks when there is no train adjacent the crossing.

It is another object of the invention to provide a signal especially adapted for use at railway crossings having a Stop sign adapted to be moved to position to restrain trafiic across the railway tracks and to be moved to a position to permit traflic across said railway tracks, said sign, when in either of said positions, being held from being turned to another position from the exterior thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a signal having a Stop sign adapted to be displayed to restrain traflic across the tracks and to be moved to position to permit traffic across said tracks, together with controlling means for displaying the sign to restrain traific when a train is approaching,

and to move it to a position to permit traflic when no train is in the vicinity of the crossing, together with automatic means for moving the sign to the former position if the controlling means becomes inoperative.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a signal device especially adapted for use at a railway crossing having a Stop sign adapted to be displayed in different positions to permit and restrain traflic, together with illuminating means for said si and additional signalling devices including a lamp.

It is still another object of the invention to. provide a signal especially adapted for E use at railway crossings having a rotatable Stop sign movable to operative and ino erative position, together with a motor enc osed in the casing and preferably electrically operated for moving said sign.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a signal device as set forth in the preceding paragraph in which the current for the motor is controlled through certain rela s and switches electrically connected to. t e rails of the railway track, so as to be operated when the train approaches.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters referv to similar parts throughout the several views and in which Fig. 1 is a view device; 1

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device, one portion being illustrated in a difl'enent position indotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a partial view of the device-partly in front elevation and partly in vertical secin front elevation of the 'tion, some parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a view largely in vertical section taken substantially at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 3, Figs. 3 and 4 being shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 55 of Fig. 4, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4, as indicated by the arrows;

' the word Stop.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line v7-7 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 88 of Fig. 7, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a partial View in side elevation of certain of the switch elements used;

Fig. 16 is a view as seen from the right of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring arrangement of the device and the connection thereof to the rails.

Referring to the views in Figs. 1 and 2, a signal device is shown comprisin a base member 15 illustrated as of cylindrlcal form and having a cylindrical flange at its bottom adapted to be secured to some suitable supporting surface 16. A post 17 is secured in the base 16 and extends upwardly therefrom. A sign comprising crossed rectangular members 18 bearing thereon respectively the words Railroad Crossing, are secured to the upper portion of the post 17 by the threaded and nutted U-shaped clip 19. A bracket 20 is also secured to the upper portion of posts 17 above the sign 18 which supports at its outer end a lamp fixture and socket 21 in which is disposed an incandescent light 22 having thereabove a reflector 23, a portion of bracket 20 constituting a conduitthrough which conductors for the lamp 22 may pass. A signal bell 24 may also be dis posed at the top of post 17. Dlsposed below the sign 18 is a casing 25 carried on a curved bracket 26 having a flange 260 at one side thereof having apertured lugs through which pass the ends of a air of threaded and nutted U-shaped clips 2 The casing 25 has a cap member 28 tapering upwardly and bored to receive bearings such as the ball bearings 29. A bracket-like member 32 is disposed above the cap 28 and has a flange 32a at one side to which is riveted a plate 326. While this plate may be'of various shapes in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as octagonal and the same has placed thereon letters forming The member 32 has a flange 320 to which is bolted a cap member 30 which extends across the top of the cap 28 and has a depending cylindrical flange surrounding the top of sa1d cap. The member 32 has a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 32d supported upon the ball bearings 29. The portion 32d carries at its lower end an arm 31 having a downwardly directed rectangular slot 31a therein. A roller 33 is disposed in the slot 31a and is journaled on a headed and nutted stud 34 secured in an arm 35, which arm has a hub with an angular recess therein fitting over a similarly shaped portion 36a of the member 36. The member '36 has a cylindrical portion below its portion 36a journaled in the bearings 37 illustrated as of the ball-bearing type, said bearings being carried in a hub 25a 'disposed centrally of the casing 25 at its upper portion and formed on a member 25b. It

will be noted that the cap member 28 has a reduced portion 28a fitting within thetop of casing 25 and forming a shoulder seating against the top of casing 25. The member 25?) is held in place by screws 28c extending through lugs 286 at the top of member 25?) into alined lugs on said cap. A plate 38 is secured to member 25a, retaining the roller bearing 37 in place, which plate surrounds member36. Said member 36 has a bar at its lower endthrough which pass headed and nutted studs 39 which extend through and form the journals for gears 40. The gears 40 mesh with an annular gear 41 clamped between member 256 and a member 42 which is in turn secured to and held rigid with the casing 255 and with a plate 49 secured to member 256 by bolts 50.

The gears 40 also mesh with a small central gear 44 secured to a spindle 45 which has its upper end disposed in a central borein the lower portion of the member 36 and has secured toits lower end a disk 46 by means of the set screw 47 extending through a hub in said disk. The spindle 45 extends through and is journaled in the member 42 and has pinned thereto between gear 44 and member 42 a small collar 48. A plate 51 is spaced from and parallel to plate 49 and is held in place by bolts 50 which pass through spacing thimbles 42a and are threaded into member 25?). A spiral plate spring 52 is disposed between plates 49 and 51 and rests on the latter and has its inner end secured to the spindle 45 and its outer end secured to one of the bolts 50 as shown in Fig. 7. A member 54 is disposed below the disk 46 and has a disk or plate portion 54a spaced from disk 46. Another plate 55 of substantially the same size as plate 54a is spaced therefrom and sheets of frictional. material, as some fabric or fiber material 56, are disposed between the plates 46, 54a and 55 and'held therebctween by the coiled springs 57 surrounding headed and nutted bolts 58 which pass through said parts, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The member 54 has a hub bored to receive the upper end of a motor shaft 59 and has oppositely disposed slots 54?) therein adapted to fit over similarly shaped ribs formed on the top of the member 60 secured to the shaft 59 in any suitable manner as by pins 61. The member 60 also has oppositely disposed tongues 0r ribs 61a at its lower end adapted to be disposed in slots 62a formed at either side of the member 62 secured to the shaft 59 in any suitable manner as by the set screw 63a, the slots 62a being somewhat wider than the tongues 61a disposed therein. The shaft 59 forms the driving "electrical motor and in practice a simple reversible motor has been used and one which can have a current thereon at alltimes and which can be held from rotation with the current thereon. The member has a pm 64 secured therein on which is mounted a bar 65 shown as cylindrical in shape and having its ends flattened, to which ends are pivoted the downwardly extending members 66. The members 66 depend from the bar 65 and have secured at their lower ends straps 67 of frictional material as by the screws 67a, which straps are adapted to engage an upstanding flange 68a formed on a member 68 disposed just above the motor 63 and secured thereto. Links 69 are pivoted thereto on the screws 67 a, which links extend inwardly at opposite sides of the member 62 and have elongated slots 69a formed at their innerends through which project-pins 70 secured to the member 62.

The bar atthe lower end of the member 36 has a drum 71 of insulating material secured thereto to which is secured a strip 72 of conducting material. A block 73 also of insulating material is secured to the casing 25?) adjacent the drum 71 in which are disposed switch members 74, 75 and 76 shown as in the form of pins adapted to engage the member 72, said pin-s having binding posts at their outer ends to which are secured the conductors 77, 78 and 79. A plate 80 is secured to the plate 43 and has secured thereto a smaller bracket 81 to which is secured a magnet coil 82. The conductor 79 extends to the magnet 82 and forms part of the winding thereof. An armature plate 83 is pivoted to the bracket 81 and carries a projecting portion 83a having a tongue 83b adapted to be projected into the opening 46a in the disk 46 when said armature 83 is attracted to the magnet 82.

A lamp fixture and socket 84 is disposed in the casing 25 in front of the plate 43 in which is carried a lamp bulb 85. The casing 25 has an opening in the front thereof over which is disposed a lens 86 carried in a surrounding frame 87 secured to casing 25. While the lens 86 may be variously colored, it preferably is made red. The casing 25 also has a door 250 at one side thereof.

A wiring diagram for the device is shown in Fig. 11. Referring to said figure, the rails of the railroad track are indicated as 88. Conductors 89 are secured to these rails respectively and extend to the winding of the solenoid switch or magnet 90. A battery 91 is provided and its terminals connected to the conductors 89. An armature 92 is pivoted adjacent the magnet coil 90 and has a conductor 93 extending therefrom. Another conductor 94 forms one side of the line extending to a suitable source of electricity, the other,

side of said line being formed by conductor 95. The conductors 93 and 95 have connected thereto the respective ends of a conductor 96 forming the winding of the magnetic coil.

Conductors 93a extending to the bell 24 are also connected respectively to the conductors 93 and 95 and said conductors are shown as extending to the lamp 85. The magnet coil 97 has an armature carrying contact member 98. The ends of these members at one end thereof are'connected respectively to the conductors 99 which are in turn respectively connected to the conductors 94 and 95 of the line. Conductors 100 are connected respectively across the conductors 99 and extend to the lamp 22. The other ends of the contact members 98 are adapted to engage members connected to conductors 101 and 102 which form two of the conductors to the motor 63. The other conductor 78 extends to the contact member 76. The conductor 77 extends to the motor 63 forming the third lead wire thereof and the conductor 79 extends to the winding of the solenoid or magnet 82, and a conductor 103 is connected to the other side of said winding and connected to the conductor 101. The contact members 98 are urged in one direction by a spring 104.

Conductors 105 extend respectively from conductors 94 and 95 and are adapted to be connected by a manually operated switch 106.

In the operation the member 32 will be held with its flat side parallel to the highway crossing the railroad tracks if there is no train approaching. The trafiic will thus be free to pass over the tracks. At this time there is sufficient current flowing from bat tery 91 through the conductors 89 to the magnet 90 to hold the armature 92 in attracted position as shown in Fig. 11 separated from line conductor 94. The switch 98 is at this time in the position shown in Fig. 11. The current at this time will flow from the line through the conductors 99 and contact member 98 to the conductors 101 and 102 and to the motor 63. The motor will be rotated in a clockwise direction and will act through the members 62, 60, the clutch formed by members 46, 54a, 55 and 56, and through the gears 44 and 40 to rotate member 36. This memto swing arm 31 until said roller engages the end of slot 3164 at which time arm 31 is sub stantially in engagement with the stop or surface 28d as shown in Fig. 5 and movement of said arm is thus arrested. The current remains on the motor and the motor rotates a short distance further, the clutch comprising the disk 56 slipping some to accommodate this movement of the motor. The signal or sign 32 is thus held in its inoperative or non-stop position.

When the signal is turned to this non-stop position, it is turned in opposition to the spring 52. When the signal is turned as described, the drum 71 is rotated and the contact strip is brought to the position shown in Fig. 9. Current can then flow to the coil 82. This current flows through the conduc-' tors 103 and 101 and also through the conductor 78, strip 72 and conductor 79. The coil 82 thus attracts the armature 83 and the tongue 83?) is moved into the recess 46a of disk 46. When the contact strip 7 2 is moved to the position shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 the circuit through the motor is broken, as the strip 7 2 moved off of plunger 7 5 and the circuit through conductor 77 is broken, so that the current is thus taken off the motor. This is done so that the motor will not continuously have to hold the signal-in nonstop position against the tension of the spring 52. The intervals between trains will be quite long and the consumption of current will thus be reduced.

It will be noted that the lamp 22 will also be lighted as the same is at all times supplied with current through the conductors 100- extending across the line conductors.

If a train approaches the signal the same will short-circuit the rails 88 and the current flowing from battery-91 through the coil 90 will be greatly reduced. The current being so reduced, the armature 92 drops away from the coil and will connect with the conductor 94. Current now flows from the line through conductors 94 and 93 on one side and through conductor 95 on the other. The current then flows through conductors 96 and the coil 97.

is energized. The armature comprising members 98 is thus attracted and the contacts at the lower end of members 98 move from conductors 78 and 102 respectively to conductors 101 and 102 respectively. This now permits current to fiowto the motor through conductors 101' and 102. The motor now is reversed and turns member 36 through the gears 44 and 40 and the clutch comprising members 46, 54, and 56 so that the arm 31 is turned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, the roller 33 engaging the end of slot 311;. The member 32'?) is now turned with its face parallel to the tracks, or at right angles to the highway crossing the tracks so that the signal is in stop position.

It will be noted that when the members 98 were moved, the circuit was broken through the coil 82 and the armature 83 drops away from said coil so that tongue 83b is removed from opening 46a, thus permitting the motor to turn the signal to the stop position. lThe current remains on the motor. and as before described, when the roller 33 on arm 35 strikes the end of the slot in arm 31a the motor will rotate a short distance further, the slipping clutch accommodating this movement. The current is kept on the motor until the train passes, at which time the coil 90 will again attract armature 92 and the motor will again be reversed as already described and the stop moved to non-stop position and locked in this position by the armature 83.

It will be noted that when the arm 31 is in position with roller 33 at the end of the The spring 52'is provided so that if for any reason the current should fail, the signal would be moved 'at once to its stop position, thus making the crossing safe. As stated, the spring 52 tends to rotate the signal in a counter-clockwise direction so as to bring the same into its stop position. It will also be noted that the spring assists the motor in beginning its movement to turn the signal to stop position. There is considerable force in the spring 52 and when this spring and the motor are acting together, or when the spring acts to turn the signal, the same may turn the signal with too great speed. To avoid this, the members 64 to 69 are provided, forming a governor mechanism. When the member 60 is turned by the spring, the arm 66 will be thrown outward by centrifugal force and the friction strip 67 moved against the flange 68a. This will create considerable friction against said flange and the speed of rotation will be controlled. When the memher 62 moyes in opposition to the spring 52,

the arms 66 are prevented from moving out- Ward as the, pins 70 engage the ends of slots 69a and link 69 thus hold the member 66 in the position shown in Fig. 4. It will be understood that when the motion is in the opposite direction, the pins 70 will move in slots 69a and permit movement of the members 66 and links 69.

The signal can be manually controlled by the switch 106. It will readily be understood that this will have the same effect as if armature 92 connected conductors 93 and 94. The signal will remain in one position until the switch 106 is again opened.

It will be seen that when the stop member 32?) is moved to its stop position, as when the train is approaching or passing, current will be supplied to the bell 24 through conductors 93a and also to the lamp 85 through conductors 93 and 95. The lamp 85 preferably will be provided with a flasherof ordinary type (not shown) so that a red light will be flashed at short intervals through lens 86. This will also assist in warning the traflic that the train is approaching. The lamp 22.

is so disposed that the light therefrom and that reflected from reflector 23 will illuminate the signal member 32 so that the same will be clearly visible to the individuals on the highway. I

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple and yet a very efficient signal device, particularly adapted for use at railway crossings. The stop signal is only displayed when there is real need for it. At other times the stop signal is ininoperative position and traifi'c is free to cross the railroad tracks without undue delay. The stop signal is so arranged that it cannot be moved by mischievous or unauthorized persons. The stop device is also illuminated and other visible and audible warning devices are preferably used as auxiliaries. The device is simple, compact and so constructed and housed that it is well adapted for use where it willbe exposed to the weather. The device has been demonstrated in actual practice and has proven very successful and efiicient. It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, 'details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel a parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:.

1. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to o erative and inoperative positions, a motorgor moving said sign to operative and inoperative positions, controlling. means for said motor connected to the rails. of the railway track for automatically moving said sign to operative position to halt traflic across said railway when a train is on said rails adjacent said signal and for automatically turning said signal to inoperative position to permit traflic across said railway when said train departs from the vicinity of said signal, means for supplying current to said motor and means for automatically turning said signal to operative ppsigion if said current should cease to be supp 1e 2. A signal device having in combination, a casing, a movable stop member disposed at the exterior of said casing, means in said casing-for moving said stop member to operative and inoperative positions to halt traffic and permit the same to proceed respectively, said means comprising a pair of members which are brought into dead center position when saidStop sign is in either of said positions whereby said sign cannot be moved from the exterior of said casing.

3. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, a motor for moving saidsign, controlllng means for said motor 1n clud ng an electric circuit for operating said motor in one direction to move said sign to operative position to halt traflic across said railway when a train is in the vicinity of said signal, a circuit for operating said motor in 4. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, a motor for moving said sign, controlling means for said motor connected to the rails of a railway track for automatically moving said sign to operative position to halt trafiic across said railway when a train is on said rails adjacent said signal and for automatically turning said sign to inoperative position to permit trafiic across said railway when said train departs from said signal, a switch operated by the turning of said sign to said last mentioned position and means controlled by said switch for locking the sign in said last mentioned position and breaking the operating circuit to said motor.

5. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positionsfa motor for mo'ying said sign, controlling means for said motor connected to the rails of a railway track for automatically moving said sign to operative position to halt traffic across said railway when a train is on said rails adjacent said signal, and for automatically turning said signal to inoperative position to permit traflic across said railway when said train departs from said signal, a spring for turning said signal normally urging said signal to said last mentioned position and means for retarding movement of said signal when turned to said last mentioned position.

6. A railway signal having in combination, a casing, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, mechanical means in said casing for moving said sign, controlling means for said means connected to the rails of the railway track for automatically moving said sign to operative position to halt trafiic across said railway when a train is on said rails adjacent said signal and for automatically turning said signal to inoperative position to permit traffic across said railway when said train departs from said signal, said fie across said railway, said means including an articulated mechanism connected to said sign so positioned when said sign is in either of said operative or inoperative positions that said sign cannot be moved by manual manipulation thereof.

8. A railway signal having in combination, a casing, a Sto sign above said casing, said sign having a ace of arrestive and distinc-' .tive appearance and extent and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent movable to operative and inoperative positions, a reversible motor in said casing, connections from said motor to said sign for turning said sign by said motor, controlling means for rotating said motor successively in opposite directions to turn said sign to arrestive and non-arrestive positions and automatically operating mechanical means normally urging said sign to arrestive position to halt traffic across said railway.

9. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, a motor for moving said sign, controlling means for said motor connected to the rails of a railway track for automatically moving said sign to inoperative position to permit traflic across said railway when a train departs from the vicinity of said signal, a-switch operated by the turning of said signal to inoperative position, a solenoid controlled by said switch and latch means cooperating with said solenoid for holding said sign in inoperative position, said switch also acting to close and open the motor circuit.

10. A signal device for a railway crossing having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, a motor for moving said sign, controlling means for said motor for rotating the same in one direction to move said sign to operatlve position to halt traflic across said railway and for rotating said motor in opposite direction to move said sign to inoperative position to permit trafiic to cross said railway, means operated by said motor when rotated in said last mentioned direction, for locking said sign in position to permit traflic to cross said rallway and for breaking the operatiye circuit of said motor.

11. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign rotatable to operative and inoperative positions, electrically controlled means including a motor for moving said sign to operative position to halt trafiic across said railway when a train is in the vicinity of said signal and to move said sign to inoperative position to permit 'tratiic across said railway when said train departs from the vicinity of said signal, a circuit for said motor, means for breaking said circuit when said sign moves to inoperative position, a

member rotatable with said sign, and a locking means engaging said member and holding said sign in inoperative position.

12. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, means including a motor for moving said sign to operative and inoperative positions, an electrically controlled means for said first mentioned means connected to the rails of a railway track for automatically moving said sign to operative position to halt traflic across said railway when a train is in the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to inoperative position to permit t-rafiic across said railway when said train departs from said signal, a circuit for said motor, a switch operated by the turn ing of said sign to said last mentioned position, and means controlled by said switch for locking said sign in said last mentioned position and breaking the operating circuit of said motor.

13. A railway signal having in combination, a Stop sign movable to operative and inoperative positions, a motor, controlling means for said motor connected to the rails of a railway track for automatically moving said sign to inoperative position to permit traffic across said railway when a train departs from the vicinity of said signal, a member rotatable with said sign, a solenoid, 'a swinging member carrying a locking means cooperating with said member to hold said sign in inoperative position, said swinging member forming an armature for said solenoid, and means for controlling said solenoid to hold said swinging member in position with said locking means engaged with said member when the signal is in inoperative position.

14:. A railway signal having in combination, a casing, a shaft extending to the top of said casing, a Stop sign secured to said shaft and disposed above said casing, said sign having a face of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, a second shaft extending vertically in said casing, a crank secured to said second shaft and con nected to said first mentioned shaft, a third shaft in said casing, caring connecting said second and third sha ts, a motor in said casing connected to said third shaft, and electrically controlled means for operating said motor to rotate said shafts and turn said signal.

15. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, mechanism under the control of a train in the vicinity of said signal for actuating said sign to move the same to safety position,

incapable of operation.

16. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said/sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, an electric motor for moving said sign to safety position, electrically actuated control 1 means for said motor to cause said motor to move said sign to safety position, and means for moving said signto and maintaining the same in stop position when current is not supplied to said control means or motor.

17. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and ex- .tent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, means including an electric motor for moving said signto stop position when the train is in the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to safety position when said train departs from the vicinity of said signal, electrical control means for said first mentioned means, and means for moving said signal to stop position if electric current fails to be supplied to said control means.

18. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and. a highway having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, electrical control means including a motor for moving said sign to stop position whenever a train is in the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to safety position whenever said train departs from the vicinity of said signal, a circuit for said motor, means for breaking said circuit when said sign moves to safety position, a releasable holding means for holding said sign in safety position, and means for moving said signal to stop position if electric current fails to be supplied to said control means.

19. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a casing, a frame extending 'above said casing, crossed flat legend-carrying bars extending downwardly and laterally .and supported by said frame, a sign 'plate having a surface of wide and arrestive appearance and anedge of thin and non-arrestive. appearance supported for oscillation about a vertical axis above said casing and 7 partly disposed in the angle below said bars in front elevation, and means for oscillating said sign to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway when a train is in the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway when said train departs from the viciniety of said signal.

20. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a casing, a frame extending above said casing, crossed flat legend carrying bars extending downwardly and laterally and supported by said frame, a sign plate having a surface of wide and arrestive appearance and an edge of thin and non-arrestive appearance, said plate being mounted for oscillating movement below and between said bars in front elevation and above said casing, means in said casing for oscillating said sign plate to alternately cause said surface to be directed crosswise of the highway and said surface to be directed lengthwise of said highway respectively, and an illuminating means above said bars and sign.

21. .A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and highway having in combination, a stop sign having a surface of wide and arrestive appearance, a thin edge 100 of non-arrestive appearance, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of said highway to restrain trafiic across-said railway and to safety position with said surface directed lengthwise 105' of said highway to permit traffic across said railway, automatically acting. means 'includ ing a motor for oscillating said sign to move the same to stop position when a train is adjacent said signal and to safety position when n said train departs from said signal,.a switch operated by the oscillation of said signal, and means controlled by said switch for latching said signal in safety position and also for breaking the motor circuit when said signal 115 moves to safety position.

22. A signal adapted'to'be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway havingin combination, a casing, a sign above 'said casing having a surface of arrestive and dis- 120 tinctive appearance and extent and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, means carrying said sign extending into'said casing, means for turning said sign to stop position with said surface directed crosswise 125 of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, and crossed flat legend carrying bars disposed above said sign, the lower portion of said bars being directed downwardly and laterally at each side of said sign, and an illuminating means above said bars and sign.

23. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a casing, a shaft extending to the top of said casing, a stop sign secured to said shaft and disposed above said casing, said sign having a face of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, means including a motor connected to said shaft for moving said sign to positions with its face directed toward said highway and substantially atright angles to said highway, a member movable by said shaft, and electri cally operated means for engaging said member to hold said signal in one position.

24. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway having in combination, a casing, a shaft extending to the top of said casing, a. stop sign secured to said shaft and disposed above said casing, said sign having a face of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, a motor connected to said shaft for moving said sign to position with said face directed substantially at right angles to the highway, an automatically'acting means for moving said sign to position with its face directed substantially longitudinally of said highway, means moved-by said shaft when moving to said former position to break the motor circuit, and means actuated by said last mentioned means to lock said sign in said first mentioned position.

25. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway, having in combination, a sign movable to stop position and to safety position of the highway, electrical control means including a mo tor for moving said sign to stop position when a train enters the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to safety position when said train departs in any one of a plurality of different directions from the vicinity of said signal, and means for maintaining said sign in stop position whenever. said electrical control means becomes incapable of operation.

26. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway, having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, electrical control means including a motor for moving said sign to stop position when a train enters the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to safety position when said train departs in any one of a plurality of different directions from the vicinity of said signal, and means for maintaining said sign in stop position whenever said electrical control means becomes incapable of operation.

27. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway, having in combination, a sign movable to stop position and to safety position of the highway, means actuatable upon the entrance of a train into the vicinity of said signal to move said sign to stop position and actuatable upon the exit of said'train from the vicinity of said signal to move said sign to safety position, said means being under the continuous control of said train at all of a plurality of different locations when within the vicinity of said signal to maintain said sign in stop position, and said means being adapted to normally maintain said sign in safety position at all times when there is no train in the vicinity of said signal, and means for maintaining said signal in stop position whenever said first mentioned means becomes incapable of operation.

28. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway, having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, means actuatable upon the entrance of a train into the vicinity of said signal to move said sign to stop position and actuatable upon the exit of said train from the vicinity of said signal'to move said sign to safety position, said means being under the continuous control of said train at allof a plurality of difierent locations when within the vicinity of said signal to maintain said sign in stop position, and said means being adapted to normall maintain said sign in safety position at a 1 times when there is no train in the vicinity of said signal, and means for maintaining said signal in'stop position whenever said first mentioned means becomes incapable of operation.

29. A signal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway, having in combination, a sign having a surface of arrestive and distinctive appearance and extent, and an edge of non-arrestive appearance and extent, said sign being movable to stop position with said surface directed crosswise of the highway and to safety position with said edge directed lengthwise of the highway, electrical control means actuatable upon the entrance of a train into the vicinity of said signal to move said sign to stop position and actuatable upon the exit of said train from the vicinity of said signal to move said sign to safety position, said means be ing under the continuous control of said train at all of a plurality of different locations when within the vicinity of said signal to maintain said sign in stop position, and said electrical means being adapted to normally maintain said sign in safety position at. all times when there is no train in the vicinity of said signal, and means for maintaining said sign in stop position whenever said electrical control means becomes incapable of operation.

30. A si nal adapted to be disposed at the crossing of a railway and a highway, having in combination, a sign movable to stop position and to safety position of the highway, electrical control means including a motor for moving said sign to stop position when a train enters the vicinity of said signal and for moving said sign to safety position when said train departs from the vicinity of said signal, and means for maintaining said sign in stop position whenever said electrical control means becomes incapable of operation.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANK W. GRISWOLD. 

